Lights For A 1.5 Gallon

[NanoReef]

ok, im wanting a 1.5 gallon tank for some zoos, just to look neat. If i just go to wal-mart or something and get a high output compac bulb and fixture, will they grow???

[Invigor]

get a desktop lamp ($10-20) and a 27w daylight powercompact bulb from homedepot for about $8..should do you well!

[deacon hemp]

I'd go 2x13 watt pc's and retro them into a desk lamp.you could have straight attinic then.

[NanoReef]

see, thats the thing, i have one of these. will they grow??
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/507/2034light.jpg

[deacon hemp]

It would work but i dont know about algea growth from the non aquatic bulb? You should look for a coralife bulb that matches your ballast?

[NanoReef]

this is the tank, it is actualy 2.77 gallons, it is 15x8x5. All i want to know is that if the zoos will grow and be some what happy.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/507/2034tiny_tank.jpg

[NanoReef]

ok so i found a light from when i started my 5 gallon tank that was a zoo med ocean sun 10000k 15w bulb. with that AND the bulb above, how will they do??? remember, this is a very shallow tank

[deacon hemp]

Ahhhhh where did you find that tank!!!!???? I was looking for one of those a while back? With that tank i would not go ghetto,get a light that fits it perfect!

Edit: personally i'd go with a 2x18 pc,or a 32w pc.The length of 15inches will end up showing dark spots with a light thats not atleast 12 long!

[NanoReef]

it is a custom tank, i took it to a guy and got the height cut down in half. he did an amazing job he even re siliconed the trim back on!!!
about the lighting, i have the 20w cf from wal-mart and the 15w coral sun by ZM. (it is 18 inches) how will they do??? i dont want to go expensive with the lighting because it is just going to be a zoo tank, the canopy that the coral sun is in fits the tank like a glove. thank you for all your help and more would be appreciated!!!

[deacon hemp]

It would work fine im sure.

[WWWD]

this one is about 9" long.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-pc.php?product_ID=pc-al0909

or if you feel like something more i would try this.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AQOL2

its pretty cool and would make your zoo's really pop.

[NanoReef]

IM AN IDIOT!!! lol, i have an extra 55w PC from when i started my tank!!! im an idiot!. how high above that tank will i have to mount that light??? is there such a thing as over lighting??? can i burn the zoos in such a shallow tank?

[WWWD]

you can certainly overheat the water. i would start at a foot over the tank and work its way down and see what happans with the temp. how are you going to handle filtration?

[NanoReef]

i have an aquaclear mini with a super short stem so it wont suck up gravel. and a aquaclear mini power head. hows that????

[NanoReef]

so the tank has water and LR in it! it has been running for about 5 days and is doing fine, im trying to find an extra PC balast and fixture so i can grow out me frags but no luck yet! i will post a picture later today.

[deacon hemp]

PICS? lol

[NanoReef]

sorry, i will get a better one later, still havent found a ballest or fixture for the lighting yet but o well. here it is. let me know what you think.
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/508/2034FRAG_TANK.jpg

Im planning on about 1 pound more of live rock.

[studsrsx]

Looking good... I wanna set up a nano reading all the stuff on the nanos :cool:

[NanoReef]

ya, it needs more LR though.... there is a chocolate chip star in there right now so he will have to go when i get the lights